Stille Nacht concert this weekend

Tis the season for egg nog, twinkle lights, snow, and great holiday music.

By Robin Galenza

Tis the season for egg nog, twinkle lights, snow, and great holiday music. Though there is not much they can do about the snow, The Augustana Choir, Sangkor, and The Augustana Men’s Choir are ready to deliver on the music. They will be hosting this years Advent concert on November 28th and 29th which is open for all to attend.

This year’s concert, Stille Nacht, will feature traditional songs from Germany, Hungary and Austria. The concert and music was inspired around the Christmas tale of Brüder Heinrich. The tale is about an Austrian monk who brings new music back to the monastery, claiming he was inspired to create it from the angels who visited him.

“It’s a very sweet story telling how a familiar Christmas carol came to be. The fable is interspersed with music written by English composer, John Rutter,” Choral Professor Dr. Ardelle Ries explains. “We wanted to focus on these traditions in anticipation of an alumni choir tour in spring 2012 to the regions of Austria and Hungary.”

A number of campus celebrities will join the choirs, including professors Milton Schlosser, playing Brüder Heinrich, Alex Carpenter, Dean Roger Epp, Paul Johnson, Jonathan Mohr, Dittmar Mundel, Kevin Sutley and Barry Vall. The choirs will be accompanied by piano, guitar, and woodwind instruments.

“They [audience] will experience charming, traditional music from another part of the world,” says Ries. The chapel will be decorated in lights and ornaments, adding to the concert’s overall mood and creating a memorable experience, she adds.

The two performances will take place at the Faith and Life Chapel. The November 28th performance will start at 8:00 p.m. The following performance on November 29th will be at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to come and enjoy the festivities. Ticket for adults are only $15.00, for students $10.00 and for families $40.00. Donations will be accepted for The Camrose Food Bank and Christmas Presence (new winter garments, toiletries, monetary gifts).